Princess Haya inaugurates the 10th Edition of DIHAD Conference and Exhibition

Dubai, March 26, 2013 (WAM) - Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the tenth Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD) was inaugurated yesterday by UN Messenger of Peace and Chairperson of the International Humanitarian City HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. HRH Princess Haya was accompanied by Ibrahim Bumelha, Cultural and Humanitarian Advisor of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Est. and Chairman of the Higher Committee DIHAD, President of DISAB, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, Ahmed Humaid Al Mazroui, Chairman of the UAE Red Crescent Authority, Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as a number of local and international figures. DIHAD adopted "Building Effective and Sustainable Partnerships in humanitarian Assistance and Development Activities" as the theme for its tenth edition. The conference will touch upon key issues related to improving partnerships within critical humanitarian and development issues. Moreover, the topics will also focus on involving partnerships in the food security and disaster response processes, in addition, the conference will highlight the progress that DIHAD achieved during the past ten years and will discuss the future plans for this highly important conference. Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Executive Chairman of DIHAD Conference and Exhibition said: "The DIHAD conference and exhibition promotes discussion in order to find best methods and solutions through constructive interaction between specialised humanitarian bodies. The DIHAD conference and exhibition also encourages partnerships between humanitarian and development associations, while exhibitors at the DIHAD exhibition display their latest humanitarian products and offer direct supply by suppliers. Over the past ten years, DIHAD has become the largest humanitarian and development event in the Middle East and North Africa." More than 275 exhibitors representing governmental and non-governmental organisations, charity organisations, healthcare sector, medical equipment suppliers and temporary hospitals are participating in the DIHAD exhibition this year. Moreover, there are around 50 speakers and specialists from the humanitarian and development field participating in DIHAD from 66 countries. DIHAD is also sponsored by Al Khair Foundation. – Emirates News Agency, WAM